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Reports of Explorations & Surveys Vol 2 Pacific Railroad Maps
Reports of Explorations and Surveys Vol 2 NOTE: There were many pressed leaves between the pages. Some remnants may be observed on the pages. Book does not lay fklat right now. Needs some weight on it to straighten it out. Spine covering is missing the bottom half. Staining throughout. No pages are stuck together. Complete. Definitely not in the best of condition but the information is invaluable for research and the history of the growth of railroads. All pages are readable.
Reports of the Explorations and surveys to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
Hard Cover
185 pages + 40 pages of Appendices + Fold out Maps
Copyright 1855
CONTENTS OF VOLUME II
Report, By Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, Third Artillery, Upon The Route Near The Thirty-eighth And Thirty-ninth Parallels, Explored By Captain J. W. Gunnison, Corps Topographical Engineers.
Report Of Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, Third Artillery, Upon The Route Near The Forty-first Parallel.
Report Of A Reconnaissance From Puget Sound, Via South Pass, To The Mississippi River, By F. W. Lander, Civil Engineer.
Report Of Brevet Captain John Pope, Corps Topographical Engineers, Upon The Portion Of The Route Near The Thirty-second Parallel, Lying Between The Red River And The Rio Grande.
Report Of Lieutenant John G. Parke, Corps Topographical Engineers, Upon The Portion Of The Route Near The Thirty-second Parallel, Lying Between The Rio Grande And Pimas Village, On The Gila.
Extract From Report Of A Military Reconnaissance Made By Lieutenant Colonel W. H Eymory, U. S. Army, Of The Portion Of The Route Near The Thirty-second Parallel, Lying Between The Mouths Of The San Pedro And Gila Rivers.
*This report was procured from Mr. Lander in compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of August 3, 1854. By a resolution of February 14, 1855, it was ordered to be printed, in connexion with the reports of the Pacific railroad explorations and surveys made under direction of the. Secretary of War:
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. From Fort Leavenworth, via Westport, Fort Riley, and Smoky Hill Fork, to Pawnee Fork; also, via Santa Fe road to Council Grove and Walnut Creek- June 15th to July 13, 1853. Allusion to the death of Captain Gunnison and his assistants.-Extract from instructions from the War Department to Captain Gunnison -Arrival at St. Louis. Kansas, and Fort Leavenworth.-Country from Fort Leavenworth to Westport.-Camp at Shawnee Mission, near Westport: its altitude above the Gulf of Mexico.-Arrival of the escort under Captain Morris.-Teamsters and mules.-First march.-Gentlemen composing the party -Instruments provided.-The train: why used.-Cedar creek: its timber.-Bull creek.-McClannahan and party, with stock for California.-Emigrants.-Division of party.- Route via Kansas river and Smoky Hill Fork.-Walikarrussi bottom.-Timber.-Inviting appearance of the Kansas bottom: its fertility and railroad practicability-Indian houses and grain fields.-Delaware guides.-Uniontown.-Rocky hills.-Storm.-Country approaching Fort Riley.-Crossing the Kansas.-Fort Riley.-Crossing the Republican Fork or Pawnee river.-Valley of the Smoky Hill Fork : its fertility and timber.-Sycamore creek.-Wagon road route from Fort Riley west.-Sand-hills.-Crossing Nepe-holla or Solomon's Fork.-Short grass begins to appear.-Practicability of a wagon road to the Saline Fork.-Stream swollen : its passage and character.-First appearance of buffalo-grass.-Meadows of the Saline and Kansas rivers.-Smoky Hill.-Buffalo sign.-Lone Oak ford of the Kansas.-Railroad line thence to the Huerfano.-Sandstone ridges or bluffs.-Character of the soil.-Chalybeate spring.-First buffalo.-Passing from the waters of the Smoky Hill to those of the Arkansas river.-Sand-banks on the Little Arkansas.-Large fields of helianthus.- Indicated line for a wagon road west from Fort Riley.-Walnut creek.-Military parties and encampments.-Guides discharged.-Character of the country for roads of any kind.-Bridges.-Change in climate and character of the country.-Journal of the party following the Santa Froad from Bull creek.-Black Jack Creek.-Timber.-Bituminous coal.-Willow spring.-Stampede of emigrant horsee.-Rock creeks.-One Hundred and Ten Mile creek.-Indian houses and Selds.-Dwissler's, Dragoon, and Prairie Chicken creeks.-Elm, Bluff, and Big Rock creeks-Council Grove.-Timber and fields of corn.-Civil and military parties en route for New Mexico.-Incident in Governor Meriwethers life.-Diamond spring.-Lost spring.-Scarcity of timber and monotonous character of the country.-Snipe.-Cottonwood creek -Annoyance from flies and mosquitoes-Turkey creek.-Miserable water.-Little Arkansas.-View of the Arkansas river bottom.-Owl and Cow creeks.-Change in the character of the soil and vegetation of the country.-Dog towns.-Sand-hills.-Arkansas river.-Kansas, Osage, and Sac Indians.-Walnut creek.-Suffering from mosquitoes.-Site for a military post.-Timber of Walnut creek.-Pawnee Rock.-Ferruginous sandstone.-Ash creek.-Grass and soil.-Pawnee Fork.-Timber.-Altitude of camp on Pawnee Fork above, and distance from, that near Westport.-Osage and Kansas Indians 9
CHAPTER II. From Pawnee Fork to the crossing of the Arkansas river at the mouth of the Apishpa-July 14 to August 2, 1858. Forks of the Santa Fe road.-Coon creek: bad water.-Indian hunting grounds.-Dryness of the country-Bois de vache.-Wolf in pursuit of a rabbit.-Return to the Arkansas river.-Comanche Indians.-Fort Atkinson.-Dryness of the Arkansas river at times.-Kioway camp.-Indian war party against the Pawnees.-Shaved-Head, a Comanche chief: his leave-taking.-Captives among Indians.-Ascent from Pawnee Fork.-Grass of the country.-Bluffs and rolling prairie.-Islands in the river.-Cimmaron route ford-Line of proposed road from Fort Riley to this ford.-Sandy road.--Plains of the river bottom.-Scarcity of fuel.-Dull monotony of the Arkansas.-Winds.-Altitude above Fort Atkinson and distance from it: altitude above the Gulf of Mexico.-Unsuccessful sportsmen.-Prairie dogs in great numbers.-Incrustations of salt.-Iron ore.-Big Timber.-Bent's trading station.-Sandstone bluffs.-Scarcity of grass-Purgatory creek.-Bent's Fort.-Game.-Fords.-Advantageous position for a military post.-Timpas creek.-Railroad route indicated.-Smoky atmosphere.-View of the Spanish peaks .-Artemisia.-Game.-Crossing the Arkansas at the mouth of the Apishpa.-The river easily bridged.-Hills end bluffs.-Grades for thirty-four miles.-View of the mountains and peaks 24
CHAPTER III. From the mouth of the Apishpa, via the Sangre de Cristo, to Roubideau's Pass-August 2 to 25, 1853. Valley of the Apishpa.-Rocks and soil of the hills and valley.-Small ca.-Examination of the canon.-Indian writings.-Cacti.-Small pines.-Route of the wagon train.-Rocks and grass.-Game.-Appearance of the mountains.-Fossils.-Flowers.-Wild horses.-Timber on the Arkansas in sight.-Rains, dews, winds.-Course of the Apishpa, and broken character of the country.-Discovered that we were not on the Huerfano.-Road to Raton Pass.-Cuchara river.-Fine view.-Trip to the Greenhorn settlement.-Clay and shale banks of the Cuchara.-Dog towns.-Wild horses.-Huerfano river and butte.-Huerfano ca-Apache creek.-Trail from Taos.-Trader's camp.-Granaros.-Greenhorn settlement: its population and productions -Massalino, the guide.-Sleeping apartments in Greenhorn.-Huerfano butte.-Direct line from the Arkansas to the upper Huerfano, leaving the former above the mouth of the Apishpa: its railroad character.-Size of the Huerfano river.-Soil-Building-stone.-Ascent of the Huerfano.-Taos trail, via El Sangre de Cristo Pass.-Approach to the Sangre de Cristo Pass.-Sand and limestone.-Railroad route.-Timber.-Flowers.-Game.-Difficulties in the approach.-The passage of the Sangre de Cristo Pass.-Scenery.-Game.-Distances, altitudes, grades.-Railroad line through the pass and its western descent to Fort Massachusetts.-Examination of the mountains to the south of the Spanish peaks.-Hunters from Taos.-Snow in and about the Sangre de Cristo Pass.-Trip to Taos.-San Luis valley: its streams and settlements.-Indian signals and robbery.-Red river of the Rio Grande del Norte.-Valley of Taos: its settlements and cultivation.-Return to Fort Massachusetts.-Antoine Leroux, guide.-Men discharged.-Mr. Taplin.-White Mountain spring.-Sage in San Luis valley.-Roubideau's Pass: its rocks, character, grades, elevation.-San Luis valley, and mountain chains e closing it . 31
CHAPTER IV. From Roubideau's Pass, via the Coochetopa Pass and Grand River valley, to the Nah-un-kah-rea or Blue river-August 25 to September 20, 1853. Gigantic sand-hills.-Williams' Pass.-Stampede.-Sand and sage.-Chatillon, Trois Teton, and Leroux creeks -Game.-Scene of Colonel Frdisaster of 1848-'49.-Vegetation and soil.-Homans' creek.-Currants.-Sahwatch spring and butte.-Coochetopa Pass gate.-Sinking of Sahwatch creek.-Sahwatch valley.-Light dusty soil.-General character of San Luis valley.-Favorable character for a railroad of the lower part of the Sahwatch valley-Deer, grouse, and trout.-Captain Gunnison's examination of Homans' park: its fertility.-Gunnison's Pass: its position and railroad practicability.-Puncha creek and country east of the pass.-Indicated lines for roads.-Mountain sheep.-Approach to the Coochetopa Pass.-Carnero Pass -Leaving Sahwatch creek.-Mountain forms, timber, rocks.-Passage and character of the summit of the Coochetopa Pass: altitudes and grades in approaching it, &c.-Method of levelling.-Grades and tunnel.-Existence of a pass north of the Coochetopa Pass-Valley of Pass creek.-Valley leading to Carnero Pass -Grades.-Indicated railroad line from the Coochetopa Pass.-Artemisia.-Coochetopa creek.-Pass Creek ca.-Character of mountain storms.-Grand river: its character, valley, and adjacent mountains-Confusion of names.-Character of and passage around the first caof Grand river.-Tables or mesas.-Brief general description of Grand River valley and ca.-Fall of the river.-Ice.-Indian smokes and method of bunting.- Captain Gunnison's description of Grand River valley repeated.-Railroad difficulties.-Scarcity of timber.-The guide's dilemma-Difficulties, character, and passage of Lake Fork.-Delusive basin appearance, exhibiting the broken character of the country.-Effects of mountain air.-View of the Sierra de la Plata.-Utah Indians on Cebolla creek.--Indian presents.-Mountain reconnoissance.-Fine view of distant mountain peaks and adjacent valleys and streams.-Position of the Spanish trail.-Ascent and passage of the Mountain-Ascending and descending grades.-Valley of the Uncompahgra: its cacti, sage, soil, &c.-Utah Indians.-Women of great age.-Domestic scene.-Descent of the Uncompahgra valley.-Utah Indian parties: great numbers in camp.-Indian "talk" and presents.-Roubideau's old fort.-Crossing Grand river.-Difficulties to be encountered in constructing a railroad along the. caportion of Grand river.-Character of the country below Roubideau's old fort.-Una-weep caand creek.-Kah-nah creek.-Nah-un-kah-rea or Blue river.-Steep eastern bank.-River crossing.-River entrance into this valley; its size and character 43
CHAPTER V. From Blue river crossing to Green, White, and San Rafael rivers and the eastern foot of the Wahsatch Pass-September 20 to October 13,1853. Purchase of Indian horses.-Indian veracity.-Soil.-Salt creek.-Indian trail to the Uintas.-Coal bed.-Caof Grand river--Rocks.-Coal.-Daily change of temperature.-Aqueous deposits and barrenness of the valleys.-Climate.-Scarcity of cultivable lands.-Leroux returns to New Mexico.-Details of the country between Grand and Green rivers.-Best position for railroad indicated: grades, &c.-Fanciful forms of mountains.-Reach the noted x Spanish trail.-Disheartening view.-Ash-heap character of the soil.--.Scarcity of water.-Difficulty in the construction of a railroad from Grand to Green river.-Crossing Green river.-Utah Indians.-Character of Roan mountains on Green river-Spanish trail followed to Akanaquint spring.-Grades.-From Akanaquint spring to White river: rocks, soil, water, and grades.-Ascent of the valley of White river to Clever creek.-Return to White river-San Rafael river.-Return to the Spanish trail.-Course of this trail, and character of the country traversed by it from Akanaquint spring.-Indicated line via the San Rafael.-Improved soil.-Indians subsist on buffalo-berries.-The country between Green river and the Wahsatch mountains: valleys, hills, and rocks. Oak springs. -Indian guide.-Weak condition of our animals.-Grades 58
CHAPTER VI. From the eastern base of the Wahsatch mountains, via the Wahsatch Pass and Sevier river, to near the Sevier lake, the most western point of exploration, and back to Cedar Springs, after the death of Captain Gunnison-October 13 to 28, 1853.
Akanaquint creek.-Rude figures drawn on rocks.-The Wahsatch Pass.-Character of the hills to the east and west of the pass.-Grades.-Tunnel.-Salt creek.-Swambah creek.-Spanish trail.-Un-got-tah-bi-kin creek.-Colonel Burwell and Mr. Ross.-Tewip Narrienta.-Course of the Spanish trail to the west.-Wahsatch mountain reconnoissance.-Salt Creek ca: its length, character, and grades for a railroad.-Wagon trail.-Entering Sevier River valley.-Moot-se-ne-ah Peak.-Mountains surrounding the Sevier River valley.-Mormon settlements.-Vegetation of the valley.-Sevier river.-Captain Gunnison's statement of the result of his explorations, for mail and military roads and for railroads. Manner in which their duties were performed by the gentlemen of his party.-San Pete creek.-Road from Great Salt Lake to California.-Captain Gunnison's visits to Mauti.-Cross the Sevier river.-Lake valley.-Un-kuk-oo-ap mountains.-Fillmore.-Sevier Lake valley.-Rabbit fences.-Return to the Sevier river.-Departure of Captain Gunnison and party to explore the Sevier lake.-Extract from his journal.-Party ascending the Sevier river.-Sand-hills.-River course.-Sage.-Caof the Sevier river.-Un-kuk-oo-ap mountains terminate.-First intelligence of the disaster to Captain Gunnison's party.-Departure of Captain Morris to the scene of the attack.-Stragglers.-Movement of the train and party to Cedar springs.-Return of Captain Morris.-Scene of the disaster.-Bodies of the slain.-False charges against the Mormons 75
CHAPTER VII.
From Cedar Spring, by way of Nephi, Payson, Palmyra, Springville, Provo, Pleasant Grove, Lake City, Lehi, Willow Creek, and Cottonwood settlements, to Great Salt Lake City-October 28 to November 8, 1853.
Pioneer creek.-Citizens of Fillmore.-Messrs. Call and Richards -Express to Great Salt Lake City.-Courtesy and assistance from Mr. Call and Governor Young.-Papers and property recovered.-Kenosh's account of the murder.-Excitement of our men.-Course from the Coochetopa Pass to the Wahsatch Pass.-Character of the country from the Wahsatch Pass to Little Salt lake and Vegas de Santa Clara : its impracticability for a railroad.-Railroad following the Sevier river.-Western limit of the explorations of 1853.-Unobstructed passage from Sevier lake to Great Salt lake.-Return to Sevier river.-Appearance of Sevier River ca.-Village of Nephi.-Payson: Spanish fork.-Palmyra.-Provo.-Timpanogos river.-Western range of the Wahsatch mountains.-Line of Mormon settlements.-Supplies purchased.-Lake Utah.-Reference to Stansbury's Report.-Winter camp.-Condition of animals crossing the Plains.-Winter quarters at Great Salt lake 75
CHAPTER VIII.
General Sammary of the line explored for the Pacific railroad near the thirty-eighth parallel of north latitude, from Fort Leavenworth (Kansas) to the Sevier lake, (Utah.)
Character and fertility of the Plains: timber, grass, rain.-Approach to El Sangre de Cristo Pass of the Rocky mountains.-Soil, cultivation, grazing, and water.-Mountain valleys.-Valley of San Luis.-Coochetopa Pass and surrounding country.- rand River valley lands.-Roan mountains, and the country between Grand and Green rivers.-From Green river to the Wahsatch mountains.-Summit of the Waheatch mountains.-Valley of the Sevier river and Sevier lake : its sterility.-Ingredients in the soil injurious to vegetation over large spaces.-Aqueous depositions unfavorably distributed and very limited.-Capacity of the country to contribute to the support of a railroad.-Railroad stations and posts.-Permanent water on the line.-Great scarcity of timber on the line.-Coal, where found.-Building stone -Railroad practicability of the line.-Elevations, grades, sections, passes.-San Luis valley.-Coochetopa Pass and tunnel.-Altitudes and grades.-Pass and Coochetopa creeks. Grand river section.-Blue to Green river.-Miry soil.-Stone for sub-structure.-Grades and bridges.-Rocky district west of Green river.-Grades from Green river to Akanaquint spring, White river, Clever creek, San Rafael river, &c., to the Wahsatch Pass.-Wahsatch Pass and tunnel.-Salt Creek ca, grades, and character.--Sevier River valley, and passage through the Un-kuk-oo-ap mountains to- Sevier Lake valley.-Further surveys, and existence of other lines near this.-Duties performed by scientific gentlemen of the party.-Climate.-Indian hostilities in Utah.-Further surveys will be made 79
CHAPTER IX
Discussion of barometric observations and tables of altitudes and distances of the line explored from Westport, Mo., to Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory; also, tables of simultaneous observations in, and data for profiles of, the mountain passes of the line-1853.
I.-Introduction to, and corrections applied in, barometric computations.-Table for horary corrections of observations.-Corrections for extreme air temperatures.-Comparison of field barometers with Dr. Engelmann's barometer at St. Louis, Missouri, both before and subsequent to the surveys.-Table of monthly mean observations at St. Louis, by Dr. Engeimann89
II.-Barometric and meteorological observations, and table of altitudes and distances, for the profile of the line of survey from Westport to Great Salt Lake City 89
III.-Data for profile of Roubideau's Pass108
IV.-Simultaneous meteorological observations at Coochetopa Pass 108
V.-Observations for a tunnel or deep cut in the Coochetopa Pass, allowing fifty yards as the width of the ridge at top108
IV.-Table IV resumed108
VI.-Data for the profile of the Coochetopa Pass, and declivities near its summit109
VII-Simultaneous meteorological observations at the pass and on the route followed across the Wahsatch range110
VIII.-Data for the profile of the route followed across the Wahsatch mountains 111
CHAPTER X. Geographical positions and distances travelled on the line of exploration from Westport, Mo. to Great Salt Lake City-1853.
I.-Letter from Mr. S Homans, in charge of astronomical department 113
II.-Table of geographical positions from Westport, Missouri, to Great Snit Lake City, Utah113
III.-Table of distances travelled, including those from point to point at which barometrical observations were made, on the route from Westport, Missouri, to Great Salt Lake City 115
IV.-Table of distances travelled on the line followed from Westport, Missouri, via Fort Riley, Kansas Territory, to Walnut creek 118
APPENDIX A. Letters relating to. the progress of the survey of the route near the 38th and 39th parallels, in charge of
Captain Gunnison.
I.-Letter dated. June 20, 1853, Camp, Shawnee Reservation, from Captain Gunnison to the Secretary of War indicating the line which will be followed in crossing the Plains. 119
II.-Letter dated. August 22, 1853, Camp, Utah creek, near Fort Massachusetts; from Captain Gunnison to the Secretary reporting the progress of the survey119
III Letter dated August 2, 1853, Camp, Utah. creek, near Fort Massachusetts, from Captain Gunnison to Colonel J. J. Abert, reporting-the progress of the survey120
IV.-Letter dated September 20, 1853, Camp 70 Grand river, Utah Territory, from captain Gunnison to Colonel J. J. Abert, reporting the progress of the survey121
V.-Letter dated September 23, 1853, Camp. 72, Bitter creek, Utah Territory, from Captain Gunnison to Colonel J. J. Abert, forwarding a rude copy of the field work of the survey123
VI.-Letter dated October 29, 1853, Camp, near Fillmore, Utah Territory, from Lieutenant Beckwith to Colonel J.J. Abert, reporting the progress of the survey, requesting instructions, and indicating future operations 123
APPENDIX B. Lists and explanations of the maps, sections, and illustrations of the reports of the explorations of Captain Gunnison in 1853, and of Lieutenant Beckwith in 1854 125
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